Carmen

Summer nights in Perth set the stage for searing passions in Spain, as Bizet's indisputable masterpiece Carmen takes over the iconic WACA Ground.

 

About the event

In a large scale outdoor arena spectacular, Bizet's indisputable masterpiece Carmen is staged with all the trimmings, performed by over 150 singers and musicians. The historic cricket ground, the scene of many epic conflicts, plays host to the loves, betrayals, celebrations and tragedies of one of opera's greatest stories.

Carmen is a bold, daring, working class woman, living life as a free spirit. She sets her sights on Escamillo, inciting jealousy in her powerful lover Don José. Hatching a plan to end this epic love triangle and gain her freedom, will the fiery Carmen outsmart Don José or will her betrayal lead to shocking consequences?

Australia's finest singers bring this memorable story to life through arias such as the famous Habanera and the Toreador's Song with tremendous local talent from the West Australian Opera Chorus, the WAO Children's Chorus featuring the next generation of rising stars and the full might of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

SUNG IN FRENCH WITH ENGLISH SURTITLES. DIALOGUE IN ENGLISH.

West Australian Opera presents Carmen in association with Perth Festival. This season is supported by the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund - an Australian Government initiative.

CONTENT WARNING

Please note this production contains adult themes, strobe lighting, smoke/haze effects, loud sounds and pyrotechnics.

It is suitable for ages 12+

Partners

CAST

Composer Georges Bizet
Conductor
Dane Lam
Director Stuart Maunder
Video and Lighting Designer
Sean McKernan
Sound Designer James Hewgill
Fight Coordinator
Nastassja Kruger
Chorus Master Hugh Lydon
Repetiteur
Tommaso Pollio
French Language Coach
Helen Brown
English Dialogue by
Tabatha McFadyen

Carmen Ashlyn Tymms
Don José
Paul O'Neill
Escamillo
José Carbó
Micaëla Prudence Sanders
Frasquita Emma Pettemerides
Mercédès Brigitte Heuser
Moralès Lachlann Lawton
Zuniga Jake Bigwood
El Dancaïro Mark Alderson
El Remendado
Matt Reuben James Ward
Lillas Pastia
Callen Dellar

WAO Chorus
WAO Children's Chorus
WASO

 

PROGRAM

  • Download as PDF here

WESFARMERS ARTS SYNOPSIS SHEET

  • Download as PDF here
  • Download as Microsoft Word Document here

HOW CAN I VIEW THE PROGRAM AT THE EVENT?

  • You can view the program at the event via your smartphone. There will be QR codes available at the WACA Ground. When you scan the QR code with your smartphone camera, the program will load.

Our handy FAQs can be found HERE

Please refer to the WACA Ground conditions of entry HERE.

How far is the walk from the carpark to the entrance?
The walk from Queens Park Parking to the Gate 8 entrance is about a 5 – 10 minute walk.
We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and allowing plenty of time to park, walk to the gates and find your seats

I am not able to walk very far. What is the closest location to the entrance?
We recommend using the dedicated drop-off zone on Braithwaite Street, in front of Trinity College.
This is the closest proximity to the Gate 8 entrance.

I am not able to stand in a queue for a long period of time. 
There will be a fast line for those who have access requirements and are unable to stand for long.

What happens if I need assistance getting to my seats?
We have a dedicated Patron Care team on hand as part of the Front of House service. If you need assistance getting to your seat, please speak with one of these team members on entrance at Gate 8.

I’ve lost my tickets. What do I do?

  • If you’ve purchased your tickets with Ticketek, please contact a Ticketek agency (list here)
  • If you’ve purchased your tickets with Perth Festival, please contact [email protected]
  • If you’ve purchased your tickets with West Australian Opera, please contact [email protected]

Where is the entrance?
All ticket holders will enter via Gate 8, located on Hay Street.

Where is the Box Office?
The Box Office is located at Gate 8.

Can I turn up and book on the night?
Yes, the box office at Gate 8 (Hay St) will be open for sales from 5 pm on both performance nights  (pending seat availability).

Why is the stage placed where it is (and not further back)?
The stage has been carefully placed to avoid sitting on the pitch.

ON-SITE FACILITIES
Can I buy food on-site?

  • A range of dining options and bars will be available at the WACA Ground, designed to suit all budgets and dietary requirements. 
  • Please note the WACA Ground is a cash-free venue; only EFTPOS and credit card payments are accepted for food and beverage services.

HAMPERS
I purchased a hamper. Where do I collect this?

  • Pre-paid hampers will be available for collection from the undercroft located on ground level behind the Lillee Marsh Stand.
  • There will be signage to direct you, but if you require any assistance, please ask one of the friendly staff who will be able to help.
  • Have your ticket ready to present at the collection point.
  • If you selected the option to include a bottle of wine with your hamper, wine will be available to collect at the same point.
  • Hampers will be available to collect from 5:30pm until the performance commences at 7:30pm.

Can I buy a hamper on the night?

  • No, hamper orders have now closed.
  • There are many other Food and Beverage options available at the venue.

PICNICS

You are welcome to bring packaged food to enjoy at the event. There are some outdoor seating areas suitable for picnics beside the South West Pavillion. Alternatively, you may wish to arrive early and soak up the afternoon sun at the beautiful Queens Gardens next to the WACA Ground.

Please note picnics must be brought in a soft bag, and refer to the prohibited items list below.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Please do NOT bring:

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Glassware, glass bottles or cans, including spray cans
  • Folding chairs or stools
  • Esky coolers (only soft bags are permitted)

Click HERE for a full list of prohibited items and conditions of entry.

Additional details will be published on this page in the lead-up to the event.

Our event map can be found HERE

With the support of Lotterywest, a FREE livestream will be available for a real-time viewing so you can enjoy the spectacle and drama of Carmen from the comfort of home.

Click here to view the livestream

The livestream will commence at 7.15pm on each performance night.

Regional Centres - 7.30PM FRIDAY 24 & SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 
If you are located in Regional Western Australia, you can also attend a Livestream event in person at the below venues:

Margaret River Heart, Margaret River 
7.30pm Friday 24 February 
Register for your free ticket/s here 

Queens Park Theatre, Geraldton
7.30pm Friday 24 February
Register for your free ticket/s here 

Cummins Theatre, Merredin
7.30pm Friday 24 February
Register for your free ticket/s here 

Esperance Civic Centre, Esperance 
7.30pm Friday 24 February
Enquire at venue

Arts Narrogin, Narrogin
7.30pm Friday 24 February
Enquire at venue

Three Springs, North Midlands
7.30pm Friday 24 February 
Enquire at venue

Toodyay Community Resource Centre, Toodyay
7.30pm Friday 24 February 
Enquire at venue

Walpole Community Resource Centre, Walpole
7.30pm Friday 24 February
Enquire at venue

Goldfields Arts Centre, Kalgoorlie-Boulder

7.30pm Saturday 25 February
Enquire at venue

Beverley Station Arts, Beverley 
7.30pm Saturday 25 February
Enquire at venue

Australian Digital Concert Hall - 4PM SUNDAY 26 FEBRUARY 
Australian Digital Concert Hall will host a delayed livestream on Sunday 26 February at 4pm AWST.

To watch this stream, create a login for Australian Digital Concert Hall here 

This production contains the following:

  • Adult themes
  • Strobe lighting
  • Smoke/haze effects
  • Loud sounds
  • Pyrotechnics

It is suitable for ages 12+

Event and ticketing details

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access
Language/sub-title available in english

Dates & Times

DURATION 3 hours including one 30 minute interval
24 February, 2023 Friday - 7.30pm
25 February, 2023 Saturday - 7.30pm

Location

WACA Ground

WACA Ground, Nelson Crescent, East Perth 6004

Get directions